Shooting target

ABSTRACT

A shooting target device having a target board with multiple openings to receive an inflated balloon in each opening. Each opening includes radial projections to frictionally engage a balloon with an interference fit. A size gauge is provided to assist in inflating the balloons to a proper size to be engaged by the radial projections when a balloon is inflated and inserted into an opening. A one-way valve can be provided for ease of inflating the balloon and retaining the balloon in an inflated condition until it is hit by a projectile and exploded.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This apparatus relates generally to multiple-balloon target structures,and more particularly to such an arrangement having positive elementsfor holding each balloon in place as a target, and having a gauge toenable each balloon to be inflated to a precise size in relation to thetarget holder openings.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

Boards or supports to which one or more balloons are mounted for somekind of target purposes, typically in relation to a game where scoresare achieved, have been known. In some cases a balloon is burst uponcontact, for example, with a dart. In others a blunt object orprojectile forces the inflated balloon against a sharp point to resultin the balloon being exploded. There are many other target involvingopenings in a surface which do not involve balloons.

Balloons are also used in groups for decorative or artistic purposes.

In some cases target balloons are inflated to a desired pressure or to adesired approximate size. Usually the full neck of the balloon must betied off in some manner to prevent air from escaping too rapidly.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Among its purposes, the present apparatus includes a gauge to enabletarget balloons to be inflated to a predetermined size or main-bodydiameter to fit into openings which are equipped with positive balloonengagement elements.

In an alternative embodiment, a conventional air valve, for example, aSchrader valve, is mounted in each balloon prior to its being inflated.The valve performs its normal function of allowing air in and preventingair from leaking out. The valve is then easily retrieved after theballoon is burst.

The support device for holding multiple balloons in a target-readyposition can be formed in a manner that allows it to be flat and compactprior to use, that is, prior to being fitted with target balloons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The objects, advantages, and features of this target apparatus will bemore clearly perceived from the following detailed description, whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shooting target in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the target board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged plan view of a single opening in the target boardof FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged plan view of a size gauge for balloons to beinflated to fit in the opening of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the target board of FIG. 2 with thegauge of FIG. 3B connected thereto;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged back side perspective view of a balloon in anopening of the target board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of an opening and a size gauge as part ofthe target board;

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of the target board of FIG. 2 with analternative hole shape;

FIG. 8 is an alternative perspective view similar to FIG. 1, without theballoons, showing different size balloon openings;

FIG. 9 is a single exemplary balloon fitted with a valve to assist ininflating the balloon; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shooting target in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, thereis shown a foldable target board 11 resting on a surface 12 in a freestanding arrangement. Mounted in openings in the board are a pluralityof balloons 13, twelve in this case. There is no practical limitation ofthe size and number of balloons this target set up may have. It could belarger or smaller, or it could be arranged to hold more or fewerballoons.

Board 11 may have three panels as shown, which enable it to fold flatfor convenience. However, while being folded flat is preferred, thesupport need not be foldable. It could be a single, relatively rigidboard which could be mounted on a convenient stand, wall, hung from arod, or mounted on any appropriate element or device. It could also havemore than three panels with the side panels folding over the centerpanel. See FIG. 2, showing fold score lines 14, 15, with panels 16 and17 being foldable onto center panel 21.

Board 11 could be formed of more than three panels with more than twofold lines, and still be able to be folded reasonably flat. An exampleof such a structure 45 is shown in FIG. 10, which is formed as a “W” or“M” with panels 46, 47, 48, and 49 foldable upon each other. More thanfour panels, or as few as two panels, or even a single panel, may formthe target board.

Openings 22 are sized for a particular balloon. A convenient size isnine inches in diameter, which fits a common size balloon. It is desiredthat balloons be inflated to a reasonable inflation pressure or stresssize so that a relatively loud pop is heard when the balloon bursts orexplodes. Suitable balloons are typically made of rubber, but they canbe any material that readily explodes when pierced after being inflatedto a pressure which leads to a readily audible pop.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3A, it can be seen that there are severalarticulated wedge members or fingers 23 arranged around openings 22. Thematerial of board 11 is contemplated to be a relatively stiff cardboard.However, it could be made of any material, including plastic or metal,that has sufficient rigidity to stand on its own, as shown in FIG. 1,and has sufficient flexibility so that undercut fingers 23 bend whenengaged by the surface of an inflated balloon without puncturing theballoon. If the target board is intended to be mounted on a wall orother structure, or hung from a rod, it need not have rigidity to enableit to stand on its own.

In order to quickly and efficiently inflate a balloon to the proper sizefor openings 22, gauge 24 (FIG. 3B) is provided. The gauge is formedwith opening 25 that is slightly larger in diameter than is opening 22.For a nine-inch opening 22, opening 25 in gauge 24 would be about 9.25inches in diameter. These are exemplary dimensions only.

When balloon 13 is urged into opening 22 from the back side of board 11,as shown in FIG. 5, fingers 23 bend a small amount and the wall of theballoon flexes a small amount. Once the balloon is mounted in an opening22, it is held firmly by a combination of friction and the very smallamount of biting action into the balloon wall by fingers 23. As analternative, small projections 42 into openings 41 are shown in FIG. 7,in place of fingers 23 in openings 22 in FIG. 2.

Gauge 24 is shown as a separate element in FIG. 3B. However, as shown inFIG. 4, gauge 26 can be connected, permanently or removably, to board 11by tether 27. Tether 27 may be any type of flexible or bendable strip,string strap, or thong.

Alternatively, a gauge 31 may be formed integrally with board 11, asshown in FIG. 6. In this arrangement, one space that would otherwise befor receiving a balloon, is dedicated to providing the desired gaugefunction.

Another alternative is that a further flap or panel may be attached topanel 16 or panel 17, which incorporates a gauge of the type shown inFIGS. 4 or 6, without using one of the balloon opening positions for thegauge.

FIG. 8 shows that balloon-retaining openings may have different sizes toaccommodate larger or smaller, or both, balloons. This figure is tosuggest that openings 32 in the middle row of target board 28 may be asmaller size than openings 31 in the top row, and openings 33 in thebottom row may be larger than openings 31. When the target device isused as a game, each different size balloon may be assigned a differentpoint value. When the target device is used for shooting practice theshooter might choose to aim at the largest balloons first, go to themedium size balloons second, and then aim to burst the smaller balloonsin openings 32.

FIG. 9 shows that a preferred way to use the target device is to use apower air supply (not shown) in conjunction with a one-way valve 34,such as the standard and well known Schrader valve, to inflate balloon35. Schrader valves have been available for more than 100 years and arethe standard automobile tire valve. Of course, other one-way valves maybe used as long as they are of comparable size and can be engaged by theneck of a typical balloon.

It is contemplated that the target device of this concept could be soldas a kit or unit of board 11, a multiplicity (such as 100, for example)of balloons, and a dozen valves. In operation, a dozen balloons would befitted with a dozen valves and the balloons would be inflated. Withoutremoving the valves, the balloons would be mounted to board 11 by urgingthe rounded end from the back of the board through an opening such asopening 22, until the balloon is positively engaged by fingers 23, asshown in FIG. 5. If desired, as an alternative to leaving the valve inthe neck of the balloon until the balloon is burst, the open end of theballoons could be secured/sealed by a string tied around the neck afterthe balloon is inflated, or the neck itself could be knotted to retainthe air in the balloon.

The target device as shown and described herein, can be used inconjunction with any appropriate projectile launching device, includingair soft guns, B-B guns, bow and arrows, or thrown knives. Any othertypes of projectiles that will cause an inflated balloon to burst uponforceful contact could also be used with this target device.

After some or all of the balloons in board 11 have been exploded, theballoon residue element and the valves, are cleaned up and retrieved.The valves are then recycled to another set of balloons.

In addition to balloon-exploding games and target practice for trainingof any type, the described apparatus can be applicable for many uses,including practice for battle reenactments.

Because of the positive engagement of balloons in the openings in board11, this target device can be used outdoors because the positions ofballoons in board 11 will not be affected by light to moderate winds. Ofcourse, the target device shown and described here may be used indoors.

1. A shooting target system comprising: a target board having a frontsurface and a back surface; a plurality of circular openings throughsaid target board, each opening having a predetermined diameter andhaving a plurality of projections extending radially into the openings,each opening being configured to receive and retain an inflated balloonin frictional surface contact with the interior periphery of theopening; and a size gauge comprising a circular opening slightly largerin diameter than are the openings in the support board, the circularopening of the gauge being configured to receive an inflated balloon ofa size to be frictionally engaged with the circular openings in saidtarget board.
 2. The shooting target system of claim 1, wherein each ofsaid plurality of projections comprises a flexible finger.
 3. Theshooting target system of claim 2, wherein each said finger extends intothe opening a distance of about three to about six percent of thediameter of the opening.
 4. The shooting target system of claim 1,wherein said target board is a relatively rigid single panel.
 5. Theshooting target system of claim 1, wherein said target board comprises aplurality of panels each panel of said plurality of panels being formedwith a plurality of circular openings through said target board, eachopening having a predetermined diameter and having a plurality ofprojections extending radially into the openings, each opening beingconfigured to receive and retain an inflated balloon in frictionalsurface contact with the interior periphery of the opening, saidplurality of panels being configured to fold upon each other to form aflat, compact target board.
 6. The shooting target system of claim 5,wherein said target board comprises a pair of panels.
 7. The shootingtarget system of claim 2, wherein said fingers are configured to flextoward said front surface when engaged by a force from said backsurface.
 8. A shooting target kit comprising: a target board; aplurality of circular openings through said target board, each openinghaving a predetermined diameter and having a plurality of projectionsextending radially into the openings; a size gauge having a circularopening slightly larger in diameter than are the openings in the targetboard, the circular opening of the gauge being configured to receive aninflated balloon in frictional surface contact with the interiorperiphery of the opening; a multiplicity of uninflated balloons; and aplurality of one-way valves.
 9. The kit of claim 8, wherein said targetboard comprises a plurality of panels configured to fold upon each otherto form a flat, compact target board, each panel of said plurality ofpanels being formed with a plurality of circular openings through saidtarget board, each opening having a predetermined diameter and having aplurality of projections extending radially into the openings, eachopening being configured to receive and retain an inflated balloon infrictional surface contact with the interior periphery of the opening,said plurality of panels being configured to fold upon each other toform a flat, compact target board.
 10. The kit of claim 8, wherein saidvalves are Schrader valves.